EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY OF THE EGG OF THE NATIVE (MELITARA PRODENIALIS) AND EXOTIC (CACTOBLASTIS CACTORUM) CACTUS MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE).

The article studies the morphology of the chorionic surface of two pyralids, the native Melitara prodennialis and the exotic Cactoblastis (C.) cactorum cactus moths that feed on Opuntia cactus, using scanning electron microscopy. Findings show that the chorionic surface of Cactoblastis cactorum has a reticulate pattern due to the ridges on the surface and aeropyles. The similarity of the general appearance of the chorionic surface of Melitara prodenialis to C. cactorum is highlighted.